Making the transition from home life to assisted living is a big step, so it’s natural if you’re worried about this change. Assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living umbrella understand the importance of maintaining your independence. Through a variety of personalized care plans, services and activities, you’ll likely feel more independent and socially fulfilled in assisted living than you did at home.
So if you’re looking to move to an assisted living community, read on to learn how it could enhance your quality of life.
Assisted living communities are similar to high schools when it comes to the social environment. Residents are out and about in a common area where daily social interactions aren't just easy, they're inevitable. Between the common dining areas and scheduled group activities, forming new, meaningful relationships is easy to do. Living a socially enriching life is about more than just making new friends. It can have a huge impact on your health as well. Seniors who get regular socialization often experience:
A common fear about assisted living is that you’ll be forced to participate in activities you’re not interested in, but that’s not the case here. Communities within the Bethesda Senior Living network aim to provide a variety of activities and events that meet each resident's personal interests. However, if you’d rather spend your day walking the trails or reading a book, that’s okay too.
It’s all too easy for life at home to become sedentary. Even when friends or family come to visit, it’s common to sit and chat or watch TV together. In an assisted living community, several of your daily social interactions also involve movement. Additionally, many communities offer on-site workout rooms as well as beautifully landscaped trails for you to enjoy. More movement in your day is good for your body and your mind. Daily physical activity provides the following benefits:
Keeping up with life’s daily chores can become exhausting when you're at home alone. But, when you choose assisted living, you’ll have someone to shoulder those daily tasks for you. From housekeeping and laundry to medication management and bathing assistance, you’ll get the help you need so you can get back to enjoying the little things in life. Most assisted living communities offer care plans that are tailored directly to your needs. These plans can be adjusted as things change and are designed with your independence and safety in mind.
One of the biggest benefits of assisted living is access to 24/7 care. If there’s an emergency in the middle of the night, dedicated care staff members are there and ready to act. While in-home care is a valuable option for those who don’t want to leave their house, hiring a live-in nurse can be quite costly compared to assisted living.
Many assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living umbrella encourage residents to bring personal items. From furniture to your beloved pets, it’s easy to feel right at home in your new community when you’re surrounded by your own memories.
You’ll often find common areas in assisted living communities that are designed to look like living rooms and not office waiting rooms. This design choice is meant to make you feel right at home, too.
Relying on a friend or loved one to drive you places isn’t always convenient. In assisted living, it’s often someone’s job to transport residents to local establishments and doctor’s appointments as needed. Additionally, many communities offer on-site hair salons and restaurants so you don’t always need to travel to town.
Another common fear associated with assisted living is that you won’t be able to see your family as often. But assisted living communities are designed to be welcoming places, not just for you but for your loved ones as well. Many communities offer private kitchens you can book for family dinners. Some communities also host family day activities, so there’s always something fun to do when loved ones come around.
The truth is, life in assisted living is a lot like life at home, but with a few added perks. When you get the care and assistance you need, you can start thriving in life again. Assisted living allows you the freedom to form new friendships and try new things without fear.
